al: 69 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of
proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September
2003)
election results: percent of vote by party--PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD
1.2%; seats by party--PN 35, MLP 30

Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by
the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal,
judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime
minister

Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party or PN [Edward

International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,
EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Anthony
DARMANIN
chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Haycock PROFFITT
embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,
Malta
mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta

Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side)
and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the
George Cross, edged in red

Economy

Economy--overview: Significant resources are limestone, a
favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta
produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater
supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is
dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics
and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs
about 3,800 people. In 1998, almost 1 million tourists visited the
island. Per capita GDP of roughly $13,000 places Malta in the ranks
of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically
over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit
remains a key concern.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$5 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 26%
services: 71% (19